Major League Lacrosse: Versatility is key for Machine

Attackmen, midfielders, defenders, a goaltender and a faceoff specialist will be among the Ohio Machine's 19 players tonight in a franchise-opening Major League Lacrosse game in Annapolis, Md.

But individual positions mean little to coach Ted Garber.

"We had players during the various drafts ask what we see their role on this team being," general manager John Algie said. "The coach's answer: lacrosse player. We're going to put you in a position to succeed, but that doesn't mean you're going to have to get off the field so some superstar can get his way."

Goalkeeper Stefan Schroder and faceoff man Anthony Kelly, both former Ohio State standouts, might be the only true specialists against the Chesapeake Bayhawks tonight.

Garber preaches versatility that he hopes will spur a flow and a team adept at transition to either end of the field. He has stocked his roster with selfless utility men who he hopes can keep goals out of the Machine net and create scoring chances.

"Every coach has his own philosophy," attackman Buggs Combs said. "But if you don't have to exchange middies, it's going to create more transition against some tired offensive middies who are not used to playing defense. It takes the right players to execute it, but, in theory, it will work."

The Machine, one of two expansion clubs in an eight-team league, will remain a work in progress in the opening weeks. Algie said wins at the start of a 14-game season are important, but developing chemistry is paramount.

The expansion Charlotte Hounds were beaten 21-12 by visiting Denver last week. Charlotte goalkeeper Adam Ghitelman allowed 14 goals on 25 shots before he was pulled in the second half. A steady goalie might be of great importance to the Machine as kinks are straightened.

"I think we've definitely been put in an underdog role and it's going to be a challenge," Schroder said.

"But we want to silence some of the naysayers. We may be an expansion team, but we have guys who have been playing this sport for decades and who know this game. If you saw us during training camp, you saw things coming together very quickly and that goes back to the types of players we have."

Kelly, in his seventh season, ranks second in MLL career faceoff wins (881). Machine defenseman Kyle Hartzell, traded from Chesapeake after last season, was the 2010 MLL championship-game MVP, the only defender to win the award.

Those veterans will help steady a team lacking experience in the offensive end.

"I think once we settle into it and get the nerves out, things will be fine," Combs said.